The Brisbane CBD venue where tens of thousands of Qlders are tying the knot

More than 16,000 people across Queensland have chosen to marry at this price savvy CBD venue in the past year alone in a cost effective way of saying “I do”.

The inside of the main ceremony room at the Brisbane Registry. Picture: Supplied

Wedding ceremonies at the Brisbane Registry have doubled since 2020, with more couples turning to the venue as a cost-of-living solution amid rising wedding costs, data obtained by The Courier Mail has revealed.

More than 16,000 Queenslanders looking for a wedding venue on a budget have tied the knot at the Brisbane Registry in the CBD the past fiscal year, with its city views unlike most registries in the country.

According to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, ceremonies have increased by 52 per cent in the year between 2022 and 2023, with couples tying the knot from overseas and interstate nearly tripling at the venue.

For Brisbane couple Nadia, 33, and Lucas, 36, Loo, the Registry was perfect for their ceremony location, forking out only $500 so they can spend more on a reception and their honeymoon.

The inside of the main ceremony room at the Brisbane Registry. Picture: Supplied

“I think it’s pretty hard, especially in this day and age when everything is so expensive we tried to spend less on this and save to go on a honeymoon and travel,” Ms Loo said.

“We also found out the ceremony is only 15 minutes and we realised that we don’t want to pay five grand for 15 minutes... we’d rather pay to celebrate with everyone else.”

Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages principal client service manager Jesse Hutchinson said the Brisbane Registry is one of the most affordable venues in Queensland to be married at.

“A Brisbane Registry wedding costs between $384 and $658, depending on the time and day the ceremony is booked. The fee includes the ceremony and celebrant in one of our beautiful rooms and a ceremonial marriage certificate,” Mr Hutchinson said.

“For couples looking for an affordable and stylish wedding ceremony venue, you can’t look past the Brisbane Registry.”

The Loo’s also planned to have their reception in the CBD, making the Brisbane Registry a convenient place to have the ceremony. Picture: Josh Woning

According to a recent Australian Securities and Investments Commission’s Moneysmart survey, the average Australian wedding costs $36,000 and based on Easy Weddings most recent Wedding Industry Report, a venue is most costly at an average of $15,230.

The Loo’s met on a dating app in 2022 and after looking for a small, low-key venue to get married Ms Loo discovered the Registry on Instagram and thought it was an ideal location.

“We just wanted our wedding to be very simple, save costs and the fact this room cost me $500, it’s an amazing price - you wouldn’t get anywhere the same with this view,” she said.

The main ceremony room can hold up to 70 guests and the Brisbane Powerhouse is also regularly used to perform additional ceremonies, with spots for the upcoming months already limited.

Bookings for Valentine’s Day 2025 have also opened, which is expected to be the most popular date to be married in 2025.

Creative director at Brisbane’s Davicii Wedding and Events Richii Abicair said there has been a trend within the last five years where brides and grooms have become more budget savvy.

Mr Loo said they both tried to be “financially smart” about their wedding to avoid any stress. Picture: Josh Woning

“The prices of everything doubled when Covid happened, so cost of vendors, cost of set up, cost of everything. There was a massive spike in prices that didn’t really go down after that,” Mr Abicair said.

He said there has also been trend of residents in the southern states planning their weddings in Brisbane or Queensland because it is generally cheaper than the other capital cities.

“We have especially had a lot of new consultations with clients where they have been choosing a more reserved church or ceremony venue, then choosing something more lavish for their reception instead,” he said.

“They want to put all the money into the reception, and then just do something really, really low key for the ceremony, or just, the formalities.”